Mis à jour le 23 February 2021.
With video and audio streams increasingly demanding in terms of bandwidth, the American manufacturer Audioquest is renewing its entire range of HDMI cables with the Audioquest 48 Gbps series. The various models in this range are designed to meet the HDMI 2.1 standard by ensuring a transfer rate of 48 Gbps. They thus ensure a perfect transfer of 4K / 120 Hz, 8K / 60 Hz and even 10K UHD video. It also supports various HDR standards and multi-channel audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X through the eARC audio return channel.
Audioquest claims that its 48 Gbits cables are the very first models to receive Ultra High Speed certification. To do this, they benefit from advanced technologies as well as carefully selected materials such as long-grain copper and direction-controlled conductors to dissipate noise.
Audioquest 48 Gbps cables
Audioquest Pearl 48 HDMI
Available from €35, the Audioquest Pearl 48 HDMI cable is the entry ticket to the Audioquest 48 range. It is made of multiple high purity LGC copper conductors to provide 48Gbps bandwidth. It can thus support 4K UHD resolution up to 120 fps or 8K resolution up to 60 fps, and even 10K, making it ideal for video production. High dynamic range programs in HDR, HDR10 + or Dolby Vision are also supported. In addition to being UHD compatible, this Audioquest HDMI cable ensures transmission of high-resolution audio and multi-channel tracks, including Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. It can transmit these audio stream in both directions, whether from the source to the receiver (amplifier, sound bar, television, etc.) but also from the television to an amplifier or a soundbar thanks to ARC and eARC technologies. These are also made of LGC copper conductors.
Audioquest Forest 48 HDMI
The Audioquest Forest 48 HDMI is the second model in the Audioquest 48 Gbps HDMI cable range. It takes its design after the Audioquest Pearl 48 HDMI. Marketed from €59, however, it features a 0.5% silver plating to optimize the transfer of digital signals. This plating is done on the video, audio and ARC / eARC conductors. The Audioquest Forest 48 HDMI cable also benefits from a noise dissipation system for each of its conductors. The latter also benefit from high density polyethylene isolation. This design provides a high level of shielding to block external interference and ensure that the signal received is exactly the same as that emitted by the source. It is thus optimal for any entry or mid-range video or home theater installation.
Audioquest Cinnamon 48 HDMI
The Audioquest Cinnamon 48 HDMI is the midrange model of the Audioquest 48 Gbps HDMI cable range. It starts at €99 and is made of solid long-grain copper conductors plated with 1.25% silver. This solution allows excellent transmission of the highest frequencies which always pass through the surface of the cable, silver being a better conductor than copper. Moreover, the use of solid conductors makes it possible to limit the interaction between the various strands, guaranteeing transmission without distortion and interference.
Audioquest Carbon 48 HDMI
The cable Audioquest Carbon 48 HDMI is the high-end model from the 48 series of the American manufacturer and starts from €169. It is made of solid long-grain copper conductors plated with 5% silver. This plating is performed on the video conductors, as well as on the conductors dedicated to the ARC and eARC audio return channel. To keep all the micro-information of the video and audio streams, the Audioquest Carbon 48 HDMI cable benefits from the NDS (Noise Dissipation System) system which ensures perfect shielding of the conductors and thus protects the electrical signal from radio-frequency disturbances, by using multiple layers of carbon and metal.
Audioquest Vodka 48 HDMI
Marketed from €349, theAudioquest Vodka 48 HDMI cable is made from solid LGC copper conductors plated with 10% pure silver. This copper is chosen for its ability to reduce the interaction between each grain, which greatly limits distortion. It also has ARC and eARC conductors to ensure optimal signal transfer and limit jitter. The insulation is benefits from the NDS system with a double protection made of high density polyethylene.
Audioquest Thunderbird 48 HDMI
Available from €639, cable Audioquest Thunderbird 48 HDMI covers the range of 48 Gbps HDMI cables from the American manufacturer. It is made of solid LGC copper conductors plated with 10% pure silver to ensure the best possible transmission of 4K, 8K and 10K UHD HDR streams and multi-channel audio tracks. The conductors of this cable are protected from external and internal interference by an NDS (Noise Dissipation System) system composed of grapheme and carbon strips. It also features a high density polyethylene insulation (or HCF for Hard-Cell Foam) which reduces distortion to an almost nonexistent level while keeping all the dynamics and energy of the original signal. The Audioquest Thunderbird 48 HDMI cable is thus particularly recommended for high-end installations to preserve all the micro details coming from the source and to offer optimal working conditions to your electronics.
Audioquest 48 Gbps eARC-Priority cables
The 48 Gbps range of the American manufacturer also features two models specifically designed to optimize the return of audio streams from the television or video projector thanks to higher quality conductors dedicated to ARC and eARC technologies.
Audioquest Vodka 48 eArc HDMI
The Audioquest Vodka 48 eArc HDMI cable is a high-end model optimized for returning audio streams. Available from €149, it can notably support Dolby Atmos and DTS: X streams to transmit them to an amplifier or a sound bar thanks to the support for ARC and eARC technologies. These take advantage of dedicated long grain copper conductors plated with 10% pure silver. This results in optimum signal transfer and a drastic reduction in jitter, guaranteeing the most precise sound reproduction. These conductors benefit from multiple shielding, in particular by an NDS system as well as high density polyethylene insulation. All the dynamics of the sound signal are then preserved. Obviously, this cable can also be used for the transmission of video streams. This section is made of solid conductors plated with 0.5% silver.
Audioquest Thunderbird 48 eArc HDMI
Marketed from €349, theAudioquest Thunderbird 48 eArc HDMI cable is the best performing model in the eARC 48 Gbps range of HDMI cables from the American manufacturer. Like the Audioquest Vodka 48 eArc HDMI, it benefits from ARC and eARC copper conductors plated with 10% pure silver. On the other hand, it differs through stronger insulation, in particular with its NDS system made up of grapheme and carbon strips to provide even more efficient conductor shielding. This is coupled with high density polyethylene insulation. This cable thus makes it possible to enjoy a reproduction entirely devoid of noise and stands out as an integral part of your hi-fi or home theater installation.
